Biological Electron Transfer and Catalysis Energy Frontier Research Center

Technical Report · Tue Nov 12 04:00:00 EST 2019

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1573243· OSTI ID:1573243

Peters, John ^[1]

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1. Montana State University, Bozeman, MT (United States); Washington State University

The overarching objective of the BETCy EFRC project is to investigate the mechanisms and structural basis controlling electron bifurcation, electron-ion coupling, and redox catalysis in model enzymes. This detailed understanding of how biological systems control and exploit electron flow will be used to develop modular biochemical conversions for the production of hydrocarbon and hydrogen biofuels. This project will conduct an in-depth study of metalloenzyme structure-function relationships that enable retuning of catalytic sites, electron-transfer thermodynamics, and the evolution of tailor-designed chemical reactions involving two model enzymes: hydrogenase and nitrogenase. The center is organized into three major thrust areas: Thrust 1. Energy conservation and electron flow; Thrust 2. ATP-coupled electron transfer; and Thrust 3. Atomic level determinants of enzymatic redox properties and their relationship to catalytic bias. We will develop a collective knowledge in metalloenzymes by applying physical science and computational tools to characterize biochemical reactions catalyzed specifically by multi-subunit enzymes harboring iron-sulfur clusters and flavin cofactors, as models for redox reactions throughout biology. Understanding these mechanisms is central to overcoming the key thermodynamic barriers currently limiting production of reduced products and biofuels. The research plan of the BETCy EFRC has been designed to provide the basis to exploit unique biochemical mechanisms that have yet to be explored substantively in the context of bioenergy but have the potential for game-changing advancement. The successful outcome of this research will be a collection of fundamental principles that serve as a blueprint to enable the tailored re-design of biological systems and enzymes to control matter and energy at the level of electrons and molecules to provide the foundations to create new energy technologies.

• Research Organization: Montana State University, Bozeman, MT (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: SC0012518
• OSTI ID: 1573243
• Report Number(s): DE--SC00112518
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY